Southwest Airlines Raises Domestic Fares To Combat Higher Costs

DALLAS (CBS Local) — Southwest Airlines has begun raising domestic fares as it struggles to keep up with an unexpected jump in expenses.

The low-cost carrier began raising domestic fares $2 to $5 one-way last week, according to Bloomberg. By Monday, the airline had increased approximately 90,000 fares.

Southwest is facing unexpected pressure from rising operating costs. The airline has been investing in technology upgrades, new planes and expanded airport facilities.

Last month, Southwest forecasted that costs for each seat flown a mile will increase by at least 3 percent in 2019, even after excluding fuel and other items. That’s up from the nearly 1 percent that analysts were expecting.

Southwest began raising domestic fares $2 to $5 one-way last week and has since expanded the effort. https://t.co/hcSkdf8R6M